Phoenix Suns (24-14) at Indiana Pacers (12-25), 7 p.m.
Sports Network | January 13, 2010
(Sports Network) - The Phoenix Suns start up an important four-game road trip with tonight's clash against an Indiana Pacers team that's yet to lose at Conseco Fieldhouse so far in the new year.
Phoenix, which currently sits fifth in the competitive Western Conference with a 24-14 overall record, enters this trek off a hard-fought 105-101 home win over Milwaukee on Monday. The Suns squandered a 24-point first-half lead but still prevailed thanks to an outstanding night out of Steve Nash, with the two-time league MVP compiling 30 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.
Nash keyed a 7-0 fourth-quarter run that snapped a tie game with a pair of baskets, including a jumper with around four minutes to go that put Phoenix on top by a 96-89 margin. Milwaukee responded by scoring seven of the next nine points to close within two, but the veteran point guard answered with another bucket and the Suns made 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to hold on for their third win in four games.
Amare Stoudemire amassed 23 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix, which held a commanding 41-17 lead early in the second quarter before Milwaukee fought back. Jason Richardson also netted 23 points in the victory.
"We need to pick this up," said Stoudemire afterward. "We need to start building if we want to be a good team in the playoffs. We need to become that team and learn how to continue to bury teams and not let them back into the game."
The Suns would also like to perform better on the road, where the club is a so-so 9-10 thus far in 2009-10. Phoenix has prevailed in each of its last four trips to Indianapolis, though, and has won seven of its eight most recent matchups with the Pacers.
Indiana has been a tough opponent on its home court as of late, however. The Pacers posted their third consecutive win at Conseco Fieldhouse with Monday's 105-101 decision over Toronto, in which the team rallied from an early 23- point deficit.
The Raptors owned a 59-36 advantage midway through the second quarter, but Indiana finished the first half strong and cut the margin to 13 points (65-52) at intermission. The Pacers closed the gap to six, 84-78, after three quarters before finally taking the lead midway through the fourth.
A.J. Price scored the last five points of a 7-0 run that got the Pacers within 86-85 less than two minutes into the final quarter, and Indiana moved in front to stay when Mike Dunleavy and Earl Watson drained back-to-back three-pointers for a 95-92 edge with under six minutes to go.
Six Indiana players finished in double figures, led by Danny Granger's 23 points. Troy Murphy racked up 20 points and 16 rebounds while Price and Dunleavy contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, off the bench.
"Our total team really worked hard tonight to come back from 20-plus points down," said Murphy.
The Pacers, who improved to 9-9 at home for the season, will be seeking back- to-back wins for the first time since December 11-12.
Following tonight's test, the Suns visit Atlanta on Friday and will also make stops in Charlotte and Memphis on this swing.
